Largs: 'Stinking' Seafront public toilets blasted at Largs meeting

Refurbishment work at the loos began in May and was completed in time for the Viking Festival three months later.

But the improvements were slammed at a meeting of Largs Community Council (LCC) - whose members complained that the work carried out did not justify the cost.

LCC member Jim Perman said he had paid a visit to the toilets recently and claimed that despite the renewal, the facilities were "absolutely stinking", and that the urinals and floor in the gents were all "still the same" as before the refurbishment.

North Coast councillor Tom Marshall (Conservative), one of three area councillors who voted in favour of the £300,000 spend, defended the works.

He said: "I have been in and talked to lady cleaning them, and they are thoroughly cleaned. The floors are good quality terrazzo. 

"It is the existing urinals, but it has all been cleaned and polished up. I think it is quite a reasonable cost.

"We originally convened as councillors in 2018 to debate this, and it was then costing £125,000. At that point two councillors wanted it done, and two didn't, and it didn't go ahead. 

"But roll on 2022, and when the next lot of costings came out it was £245,000, and it was still the same scenario.

"Then a council election took place, and we now have five councillors in the ward, which means we could get a majority. There was a majority of three over two [in favour], by which point the cost had gone up again.

"You may complain about the cost, but construction costs have been going up everywhere - the original Millport flood prevention works were £12 million in 2015, and then £27m, and now have reached almost £50m, as an example.

"I think it is reasonable value."

Mr Perman asked how the work could cost £300,000 when all the groundworks were already in place - and asked why they were, in his view, "stinking".

Cllr Marshall said when he used the facility he hadn't detected a problem with the smell.

He also pointed out that £14,000 a year was being borrowed against the seafront car park fund to offset the cost - and said that pay gates will be introduced when work on the ladies' toilets is  completed.

Cllr Marshall insisted that in time, the loos will "pay for themselves and wash their face".

Community councillor Patricia Perman responded: "Are you as careful with the council's money as you are with your own?"

Cllr Marshall said: "We were left in a position, after several years, of whether we spend money on improvements or not.

"The £300,000 quote was the only quote on the table. We would also have faced criticism if we had not done anything."

Independent councillor Ian Murdoch responded: "I proposed this project in the first place, and the initial cost was £180,000.

"I asked what type of tiles are we getting, and I was told that we weren't getting tiles.

Cllr Ian Murdoch (Image: Newsquest)

"I was apprehensive about the costs going up. I opposed the £300,000 spend and was seconded by Councillor Alan Hill. 

"I was expecting a nice new interior and something which was useable, clean, functional and tidy. I wanted a new roof, and we only got two thirds of a new roof. 

"I also wanted [the work] separated into bite-sized chunks for local contractors but was told it had to be one project manager for the whole development."

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The Gallowgate toilets are cleaned twice a day. If customers experience any issues, then we would advise them to contact us on 01294 310000 to report the matter so that we can take appropriate action.

“The refurbishment works have included roofing, wall linings, sanitaryware and electrical and plumbing work.

“The works were competitively tendered to ensure value for money.

“The project will be completed shortly and management arrangements for the paygates are being finalised prior to installation.”